SECTION 1. The membership dues of TNG-CWA shall include:

(a) The payments established by Section 2 of this Article or by Locals under the authority of Section 2 of this Article, hereinafter referred to as "monthly dues."

(b) The payments required for admission into membership in TNG-CWA fixed by Locals under the authority of Section 3 of this Article, hereinafter referred to as "initiation fees."

(c) The payments required for reinstatement into TNG-CWA after loss of membership fixed by Locals under the authority of Section 4 of this Article, hereinafter referred to as "reinstatement fees."

(d) Any additional dues required by a Local of all its members from time to time, fixed under the authority of Local by-laws.

SECTION 2. (a) Monthly dues payments shall be fixed for and collected from Local members by the respective Locals (except that strikers or locked-out members' dues may be paid from the Local treasury), and shall be fixed for and collected from members at large by the E.C., in accordance with the following provisions:

(b) Monthly dues.

The monthly dues fixed and maintained by Locals and the E.C. shall be not less than the Minimum Dues Schedule set forth in Section 2(c) of this Article. In addition, the monthly dues of each member shall include the amounts set forth in Section 2(d) of this Article until June 30, 2000 when Section 2(d) dues will be eliminated.

(c) The Minimum Dues Schedule shall be either that listed under Table A:

Dues tables 1  Weekly compensation up to  $1,064.99.       
Dues tables 2  Weekly compensation from $1,065.00.        

or 1.3846 percent of regular compensation up to the maximum required by the above schedules, or a dues schedule which yields at least an equivalent total dues income.

On each Oct. 1 there shall be an extension of the schedule under this subsection by raising the weekly compensation amount by $50 in $5 brackets and by increasing the dues under Tables A proportionately in the same manner as in the existing brackets.

(d) Beginning August 1, 1991, each member shall pay $1.00 per month dues in addition to the amount of dues the member otherwise would pay according to the member's Local dues structure in effect on that date, unless the Local increases its dues rate by means of a formula that yields at least an equivalent total amount This money is to be used only for the purpose of organizing new members.

(e) Exceptions and particular cases.

In the following cases, Locals and the E.C. may fix and maintain the dues set forth below in lieu of the aforesaid monthly dues:

(1) For individuals who retain membership pursuant to Article II, Section 3(c ) – an amount no less than the CWA dues rate for members without collective bargaining rights, as set by CWA constitutional procedures.

(2) For members whose regular compensation is less than $50 per week-not less than 5 percent of weekly salary per month.

(3) For members whose regular compensation is less than $10 per week-not less than 10 cents per month.

(4) For unemployed members-not less than 10 cents per month.

(5) For members on unpaid leave of absence-not less than 10 cents per month.

(6) For members on paid leave of absence-the amount which would be paid on the same salary.

(7) For associate members-not less than $ 10.00 per year.

(8) For members working in a shop not under Guild contract and earning $50 per week or more-not less than $2.50 a month.

(9) For members working for unions other than TNG-CWA or its branches, who are not under Guild contract and who are earning $50 per week or more-monthly payments of not less than $3.50, plus an amount equal to the per-capita tax set forth in Section 7 of this Article.

(10) For retired members-dues as fixed by their Locals, comparable to those required by the CWA Constitution.

(11) For members granted inactive status under Article XIII, Section 18-not less than 10 cents a month payable quarterly.

(12) Members who leave their employment to serve in the armed forces of the United States or Canada or their allies, or who are drafted as conscientious objectors under the laws of any of said nations into compulsory civilian employment or war work in lieu of services in the armed forces, for and during a time of war or national emergency, shall be absolved from all dues payments for the period of such service. Any such member may elect to take an honorable withdrawal card.

(13) For members on strike or locked out-not less than 10 cents per month without distinction between such members, except that a member working in a Shop under Guild contract shall pay the appropriate dues of the Local under whose contract he or she is working, to that Local.

(14) For members covered by an insurance, health or welfare program financed out of dues-an amount equal to the member's monthly dues as provided by Sections 2(b) and 2(g) of this Article, and the cost of insurance to the member. The total monthly dues payment shall be a single undivided dues payment and no part shall be separately paid by the member as an insurance contribution.

(15) For members working in a shop located other than in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico who because of geographical location are unable to obtain the advantages of normal servicing, including the negotiating of a collective bargaining agreement-75 percent of the dues as set forth in Section 2(b) of this Article.

(f) Dues are payable on the first day of each calendar month, except that associate members' dues may be paid annually or in semi-annual installments. The year for the purpose of associate members' dues shall be from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. Dues of unemployed members shall not be prepaid.

SECTION 3. Initiation fees shall be fixed and collected by the Locals and shall not be less than $1.00. Maximum initiation fee shall be $10.00, or at the Local's option the equivalent of one month's dues at the reduced dues rate. The initiation fee shall be accompanied by the applicant's dues for one month. Should the applicant for membership be rejected, he or she shall be entitled to full refund of his or her initiation fees and dues. There shall be no initiation fee for associate members. Initiation fees may be waived in favor of applicants who at the time of application are fully paid-up members of another union, or hold an honorable withdrawal card of another union, subject to approval by the E.C. The initiation fee shall be waived in favor of former associate members qualifying for full membership, who were paid up to date of becoming ineligible for associate membership, and apply for full membership as of the date of becoming eligible.

SECTION 4. Reinstatement fees under Article XIII, Section 12(a), shall be fixed and collected by the Locals and shall be not less than $2.00. The reinstatement fee shall be accompanied by the applicant's dues for the month in which his or her reinstatement is approved, and his or her membership shall date from the first of that month.

SECTION 5. In meeting its obligations under Section 2(d), a Local may act to meet the mandatory funding requirements out of existing Local funds.

SECTION 6. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution or the CWA Constitution to the contrary, where TNG-CWA or any Local is organizing a new bargaining unit, and the applicable federal or provincial law requires a showing that a certain percentage of employees in the unit are members of TNG-CWA or the Local as a precondition to certification or representation vote, any of said employees who apply shall be admitted as members without payment of initiation fees or dues (or with payment of such minimal amount as may be appropriate under the applicable law) during the organizing campaign. The obligation of such members to pay initiation fees and dues as specified in this Constitution or the CWA Constitution shall commence upon the execution of the first collective bargaining agreement covering their bargaining unit. Such members shall have all rights, privileges and obligations of membership, except the right to vote in Sector referenda and to participate in Sector Conferences.

SECTION 7. (a) Locals shall remit to -CWA the following per capita tax:

(1) For each monthly dues payment, except as provided in (2) and (3) below-1.939 percent (.01939) of the average top reporter minimum in TNG-CWA contracts determined annually as provided in Section 7(b), but not more than 40 percent of a per-capita payment for each dues payment that does not exceed the per capita payment. Effective April 1 2002, the above per capita tax shall increase to 1.997 percent (.01997), the increase to be deposited into the Guild Mobilization and Defense Fund. A Local may act to meet this per capita obligation to the Guild Mobilization and Defense Fund by increasing dues or by paying it out of existing Local funds.

(2)(a) Effective April 2000, 50 cents per member per month, the entire amount of which is to be deposited into the CWA Defense Fund. A Local may act to meet its obligation hereunder by increasing dues or by paying it out of existing Local funds.

(b) The per capita payments imposed under Section (a) above may be rescinded by action of the Executive Council if, in its judgment, CWA fails to amend its Member Relief Fund rules to accommodate the policy adopted at the 1999 Sector Conference regarding the commencement of strike and lockout benefits.

(3) For each dues payment under Section 2(d)(1) – the per capita amount required of CWA members without collective bargaining rights, as set by CWA constitutional procedures.

(4) For each dues payment under Section 2(e) (2), (3), (4), (10) and (12)-10 cents.

(5) For each annual dues payment of an associate member-$ 5.00.

(6) For each initiation fee-for a member employed in a bargaining unit not covered by Guild contract, $1.00; for a member employed in a bargaining unit covered by Guild contract, $3.00.

(7) For each reinstatement fee-half the amount thereof.

(8) For each Sector assessment-the full amount thereof.

(9) For each retired member the amount required by the Locals under Section 2 (e)(9).

(b) The average top reporter minimum in TNG-CWA contracts means, and shall be determined annually, as follows:

(1) The computation of the average top reporter minimum shall be made annually by the Secretary-Treasurer based upon TNG-CWA Local contracts in force on April 1 of each year covering newspapers published at least five days a week.

(2) The average computed and the computation upon which it is based and the per capita resulting shall be published in the issue of the Guild Reporter next following its completion, and shall be effective on the following May 1 as published unless revised by the E.C.

(3) The average shall be computed by adding the top reporter minimum provided in each separate contract regardless of the number of newspapers or members covered by a single contract and without weighting of any kind, and dividing the total by the number of contracts taken into account.

(4) In a contract providing more than one reporter minimum only the highest such minimum shall be included. A minimum schedule including reporter with any other job title shall be considered a reporter minimum. A higher classification differential shall not be taken into account.

(5) The contract in force on April 1 means the contract actually in force on that date and not a contract subsequently signed but retroactive to April 1 or earlier. No contract for which permission to sign was withheld under Article XIX, Section 3, shall be taken into account. If no contract is in force on April 1 for a given newspaper or newspapers because of a strike or for any other reason, then the immediate past contract shall be taken into account, providing the immediate past contract was in force at any time during the previous 12 months.

(6) Percentages shall be calculated to five decimal places and rounded to the nearest final number. Per capitas shall be rounded to the next higher cent.

(c) For each monthly service, agency, or similar fee paid to a Local by an employee in lieu of membership dues, as provided by contract between the Local and employer, the Local shall remit to TNG-CWA an amount equal to the per capita remitted on a similar dues payment.

(d) Locals shall have a one-time option, for newly organized units, to remit per capita payments for that unit in accordance with CWA’s per capita formula rather than the Guild formula stated above, plus .058 percent (.00058) of the average top reporter minimum to be deposited in the Guild Mobilization and Defense Fund.

SECTION 8. (a) Members certified by the Local to be paying the unemployed dues rate at the time of a Sector assessment, and associate and retired members, shall be exempt from payment of such assessments.

(b) The Secretary-Treasurer may exempt new members from Sector assessments during an organizing campaign.

(c) Sector assessments levied under the authority of Article IX, Section 5(b) shall be payable on the date for which they are levied and may be collected individually from the members or may be paid by the Local from Local funds on behalf of the membership.

SECTION 9. Remittances of funds by the Locals shall be made monthly within fifteen days after the end of the month in which they are collected. Statements of the members' and months' dues represented by the per capita tax remitted, and of the respective members' payments of initiation and reinstatement fees and assessments, shall accompany the remittances with the frequency, and on forms, prescribed by rules issued by the Secretary-Treasurer and approved by the E.C., subject to CWA rules and procedures. Locals shall not remit per capita for unemployed members' dues in advance of the month to which the per capita is credited.

SECTION 10. U.S. locals with union security provisions in their collective bargaining agreement(s) shall provide to the CWA membership department within 30 days of receipt, notification of new hires, including the names, addresses, dates of hire and job classifications of those individuals hired.

SECTION 11. In the case of an independent union that seeks affiliation with TNG-CWA, the E.C. is authorized to phase in the minimum dues and per-capita tax requirements of this Constitution so as to facilitate the affiliation process.

SECTION 12. In the case of newly organized bargaining units, CWA shall refund the first three months' per capita payments on members of that unit following the signing of an initial contract. The refund shall affect neither the membership standing of the members involved nor the Local's convention representation under Article VII, Section 2(c). The refund shall not include per capitas collected under Section 7(a)(2) of this Article.

SECTION 13. (a) The Secretary-Treasurer shall compute the monthly good standing membership of each Local and report to the Local thereon, together with a computation of the remittances received, at the times and on the forms prescribed by rules issued by the Secretary-Treasurer and approved by the E.C. The Local shall have one month after such a report to file its claim for any discrepancy between its records and those of TNG-CWA.

(b) In the event that any Local fails for three consecutive months to remit TNG-CWA's share of all funds collected, together with any statement required by the rules, its charter may be suspended by the E.C., in which case the E.C. shall proceed at once to take over the funds and records of the Local and to reorganize the financial operations of the Local.

SECTION 14. Payments by members shall be receipted for locally in the appropriate manner approved by the E.C., and specifically every month's dues shall be acknowledged on the member's card by a TNG-CWA per capita stamp and assessments, if any, shall be acknowledged on the member's card by a TNG-CWA assessment stamp, and associate members' dues by TNG-CWA semiannual associate members' dues stamps. Where a member's dues and assessments are checked off under Guild contract, such member shall be deemed to be in good standing until revocation of such checkoff, unless he or she shall have failed to fulfill any other constitutional obligation to the Guild; provided, eligibility for voting in Sector elections and referenda must be established by per capita remittances as required by Article XXII, Section 6.

SECTION 15. All payments required of Locals, pursuant to Section 7 of this Article and Article IX, 5(b), shall be made to CWA. All assessments, Sector Mobilzation and Defense Fund contributions, and Sector Mobilization and Defense Fund per capita shall be deposited by CWA into the Sector Mobilization and Defense Fund.

SECTION 16. Funds shall be expended only for activity within the constitutional purposes of TNG and CWA. Expenditures for strike activities, for other activities of an emergency nature, and for purposes authorized by Sector Conference action or referendum and in the manner and subject to the limitations prescribed thereby, shall be made from the Sector Mobilization and Defense Fund, at the direction of the E.C., and from the CWA Member Relief Fund and the CWA Defense Fund, consistent with the rules of those funds. Expenditures also shall be made from the Sector Mobilization and Defense Fund in accordance with Section 2 (e) of Article XX.

Funds shall be withdrawn from the Mobilization and Defense Fund by check signed either by two Sector officers or by one Sector officer and one TNG-CWA administrative employee, designated by the E.C.

SECTION 17. All Sector officers and employees authorized to sign checks upon TNG-CWA funds or handling TNG-CWA monies, shall be bonded in amounts and in a manner designated by the CWA.

SECTION 18. The Finance Committee shall prepare a Sector budget of expenses for the approval of the E.C., and after such approval, the budget shall be submitted to the CWA. The Finance Committee shall supervise the operation of the budget.

SECTION 19. A report of the TNG-CWA Sector budget for the ensuing year, and of the status of the Sector Mobilization and Defense Fund, shall be published annually in the Guild Reporter.

SECTION 20. Except as provided by Section III. 8(d) of the Merger Agreement between TNG and CWA, all funds, assets and liabilities of TNG shall be retained by TNG-CWA. Accordingly, the monies and assets in TNG's General Fund and Organizing Fund at the effective date of merger shall be placed into a TNG-CWA Sector General or Reserve Account and shall remain in the custody and under the sole authority and control of the Sector Executive Council and Sector Conference. The monies and assets in TNG's Mobilization and Defense Fund at the effective date of merger shall be placed into a TNG-CWA Sector Mobilization and Defense Fund account and shall remain in the custody and under the sole authority and control of the Sector Executive Council and Sector Conference.